Consultation begins on new cycle route

MEMBERS of the public now have the chance to voice their opinions on the proposed cycle lane from the A21 to Tonbridge train station.

The route, which was announced in November 2016, will run along Vauxhall Lane, Pembury Road, St Stephen’s Street and Priory Road to Quarry Hill Road.

It will be installed by Kent County Council and the facility will provide a dedicated route by transforming existing footpaths to allow cyclists, except on St Stephen’s Street, where bicycle users will be directed onto the road.

The new path comes as work has started on a new cycle route between Tonbridge School and Longmead Stadium.

Fran Long, of the recently established Tonbridge Bicycle Users Group [BUGS] said the new route, known as Angel Scheme Phase One, ‘will be excellent as it provides a safe route from north to south avoiding the dangerous narrow section of the Shipbourne Road’.

Although she noted there had been some concerns from BUGS members that a shared path between cyclist and pedestrians may be problematic especially at the times that nearby schools start and finish.
They have suggested that, with cyclists likely to come down the hill fast, a shared path could be unsafe for pedestrians.

One recommendation is to have a cycle lane on the road but have it separated from motor traffic by a kerb rather than merely a line painted on the road.

The consultation runs until midnight Friday May 26. To view the plans and contribute your views, visit: consultations.kent.gov.uk/consult.ti/pemburyroadcycleroute/consultationHome. Or call 03000 418181 to request the location of a paper copy.